PAUL NAZARETH UPDATE

 

PAUL NAZARETH

A dedicated clubman

Paul Nazareth is typical of the young Goans who grew up in East Africa and Nairobi and Mombasa in particular. It was the same in Kampala, Uganda and Dar es Salaam Tanzania as well as in other smaller towns peppering the three East African countries. Everyone was into sports, of one kind or another or multi-sports.

If the school (especially the Dr Ribeiro Goan School) was the nursery of sport for boys and girls, then the Goan clubs were the epicentres of the upper grades of sports, just a level down from National representation for brilliant few and international sports arenas for the minor gods of their chosen sport.

Nonetheless, it did not matter that you were a club player, a Kenya representative player, an Olympian or one of the few who played in world championships, especially hockey. We admired and tried to copy the superstars, but we did not them as superstars, they were mostly all our buddies.

Paul Nazareth was one of them, a dedicated club sportsman.

The kids who grew up in the Pangani Goan Estate had their very own club and most of them, all adults, some with families of their own, will tell you they probably loved every minute. These days Zoom is their only meeting place because like seeds in the wind they are scattered all over the world.

Over the past few months, with the help of several of the former youngsters who grew up in the Pangani Goan Estate, I have posted a couple of stories on my blog and shared them on my FB page. Everyone loves nostalgia and why not?

Talking to Paul a few months ago (when I was researching the Pangani story) he told me of the time he was attached in his Pangani Estate home and a neighbour and growing up buddy Anto (Antonio DeSousa) rushed him to hospital. On another occasion, when Paul suffered severe backaches, Anto took Paul to Anto’s brother Trevor at Kenyatta General Hospital “who fixed me up.”

We were all communities of the Maker’s liquorice all-sorts, many, many were the good sorts who did not think twice about helping anyone in need.

During a long and dedicated life at the Railway Goan Institute, Paul was the Sports Secretary of the R.G.I. for many years until its closure in 1970. He also organized Darts and Table-Tennis tournaments every year.

He was the Captain of the RGI hockey that won the Gold Cup in 1967 and a member of the team that also won Cup again in 1969.

Table-Tennis: Paul was the Manager of the Kenya Team that went to Nigeria for the All-Africa Games (“we were at the airport when Nigeria’s Head of State Major General Gowan was overthrown”) and to Calcutta for the Commonwealth Games.

In 1987, he was the Manager of the Kenya team for the All-Africa Games in Nairobi, Kenya.

He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro through the Outward-Bound School … he can’t remember the year.

He worked for the Kenya Railways for 28 years, before leaving with his family in 1988.

As we journey into the twilight years of our lives, we can only smile and celebrate quietly the best times of our lives both in Africa and wherever we live far from Africa.

 

(More to come I hope)

JAMES FERNANDES who played hockey with him: Paul is truly a very special person, always helpful and supportive. He has a good sense of humour and although quiet by nature, his presence was always felt, especially in the RGI. He is someone you could easily share your problems. An amazing friend to have.

I first met Paul in my late teens when I joined the RGI and Paul was the captain. We immediately bonded and Paul would go out of his way to make me feel comfortable and wanted. He would on some occasions collect me from work in the industrial area on his bike and exchange ideas on different issues including hockey. He took me under his wing and always ensured I was well looked after, on and off the pitch.

He was a very successful Captain winning the Gold Cup twice and was privileged to be part of the winning team on both occasions. He had a great way to bond the team, especially when everyone had different ideas, he would always calmly resolve matters amicably, bearing in mind that we had a few Kenya internationals in our team.

Paul was a fearless left-back and could hold his own. Opposition forwards were always wary of his presence and dared not mess with him. 

In our meetings, he would always say: “if you don’t get the ball, get the man “in his case he got both. I played right-back and he was left-back and we had a great understanding in our defence strategy.

Paul took his captaincy very seriously. RGI was playing a Gold cup final on Easter Monday and we were all instructed to have an early night, which was rare in our time and era. Unfortunately, there was the Easter Sunday dance and at our age could not resist attending. At about 9 pm Mr Nazareth suddenly appeared and politely told me that I should leave around ten. After ducking and diving, he finally cornered me and escorted me home - on his bike. It did help, we won the gold cup the next day.

 

Paul is a great guy, no one who ever met him will easily forget.

 

Unfortunately, I had to depart Nairobi for the UK and left behind one of my best buddies with memories never to be forgotten. I did meet Paul in London and in Toronto and it was just like old times. He was still the same Paul I knew, simple and caring.

HILARY FERNANDES, Kenya Hockey International: A great article on a well-deserving person at the right time.

Going back to the good old days brings back super memories of the great guys I played with, and they were all wonderful fellows both on and off the field. I cannot believe I played under Paul’s captaincy but have to give him full credit for the way he conducted himself in the position. Paul was humble, polite and very pleasing in his line of instructions, always requesting, never commanding. I don't ever remember him being rude to anyone and because of his nature, we all did whatever we could to support him.  

 

I looked at the very first picture of the winners 1967 Gold Cup, but never occurred to me how the positions were decided, but after all these years of wisdom, this is what I came to the conclusion. Sorry Paul I hope this will not offend you.

      

Like in a Class room when you are not a good student they make you STAND AT THE BACK ROW,now look at the picture very carefully and you will see what I mean,unfortunately that includes by brothers.

Look at the those that are all SEATED, these were the BEST PLAYERS. And lastly, those that were not so good were made to SIT ON THE GROUND.  

 

I’m so fortunate to be alive to speak my mind, and will admit that it was an honour to have played with you All. You were the best ON & OFF the field and Paul you were indeed a good Captain.

 

I still keep in touch with Paul and he is the same OLD PAUL in his talk and mannerisms. You certainly deserve this write-up from our friend SKIP and to all those that have contributed to this article. Keep well and Keep safe.

TOP LEFT: Remy -Edgar -Edwin - Cosmos -Cletto -unknown -Harold - Ovie -Danny 

Seated; Neves -Polly - Marcus -Paul Nazareth -Hygino  -Hilary. 

 

 

Princess Elizabeth's first visit to Kenya

 

A little more colour in Federal Parliament

 

About the White Australia policy

At the end of the 19th century, Australian colonies had concerns about who was migrating to Australia. With a rise in the number of migrants from China and the Pacific, many colonies passed tough immigration legislation.

The Immigration Restriction Act was one of the first Commonwealth laws passed after Federation. It was based on the existing laws of the colonies.

The aim of the law was to limit non-white (particularly Asian) immigration to Australia, to help keep Australia ‘British’.

Pass or fail: the dictation test

Under the Immigration Act, migrants who entered Australia between 1901 and 1958 could be asked to take a dictation test.

To pass the test, they needed to write 50 words in any European language, as dictated by an immigration officer. After 1905, the officer could choose any language at all. A Chinese immigrant, for example, could be asked to write out 50 words in French, Italian or another language.

Few migrants could pass the test in these circumstances. This meant that it was easy to fail an applicant if they were from an ‘undesirable’ country, had a criminal record, had medical issues or were thought to be ‘morally unfit’.

If an applicant failed the test, they could be deported by the Australian Government.

Some people were exempt from the test. They included non-European Australian residents travelling overseas temporarily, and non-European visitors entering Australia temporarily for work, education or to visit family. These people received a Certificate of Exemption.

The end of the Act

The Immigration Restriction Act and dictation test ended in 1958. Other parts of the White Australia policy, such as the registration of non-British migrants as ‘aliens’, continued into the early 1970s.

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 made it illegal to discriminate against migrants based on their race. It removed the last traces of the White Australia policy.

Despite the White Australia policy, people from all over the world settled in Australia, creating the multicultural society we see today.

Our founding fathers must be turning in their graves as Federal Parliament continues to increase the representation of the many colours that make the current Australian population.

Here are some new and some veterans in the House of Representatives and  the Senate.

Anthony Albanese

Prime Minister

Member for Grayndler

Italian descent

 

Senator Penny Wong

Foreign Minister

Malaysian

Michelle-Ananda Rajah

Member for Higgins

Tamil

 

Sally-Sitou

Member for Reid

Chinese

Cassandra Fernando

Member for Chisholm

Sri Lankan

Gladys Liu

Liberal Chisom

Hong-Kong born

Dave Sharma

Member for Wentworth

Canadian born

Trinidadian Indian heritage

 

 

Senator  Mehreen Faruqi

Greens

Pakistan born

 

 

 

Tu Le

Member for Fowler

Vietnamese

 

Dr Anne Aly

Born 29.3.1967, Alexandria, Egypt

Member for Cowan

Minister for Early Childhood Education

Minister for Youth

Linda Burney

Indigenous Australian

Member for Barton

Minister for Indigenous Australians

Sam Lim

Member for Tangney

Malaysian born

Peter Khalil

Member for Wills

Egyptian born

Dai Le

Member for Fowler

Vietnamese

Zanetta Mascarenhas

Member for Swan

Goan

 

 

Hon Anthony Albanese MP

 As at March 2022, there are and 4 current senators and 2 current members of the House of Representatives who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. They are:

• Senator Patrick Dodson, Western Australia
• Senator Jacqui Lambie, Tasmania
• Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Northern Territory
• Senator Lidia Thorpe, Victoria
• The Hon Linda Burney MP, the Member for Barton
• The Hon Ken Wyatt MP, the Member for Hasluck

Earliest Goan Pioneers to East Africa

  

FROM EUROPEANS IN EAST AFRICA

I wonder if any of my readers or their friends may recognise the earliest Goan pioneers listed below

 

Name: ABRANCHES, C. R.

Nationality: probably Goan

First Date: 1901

Profession: Fitter, Loco dept.

Area: Kisumu

Book Reference: North, Gazette, EAHB 1904, Drumkey

General Information:

North - Uganda Railway - Railway appt. dated 1-3-1901; Admitted to hospital with bubonic plague, Nairobi 8-4-1902; Listed as Fitter, Loco and Carriage Dept., May 1902

Gazette - 17/12/1902 - Plague compensation after bubonic plague in March 1902 - C.R. Abranches - Rs 13

EAHB 1904 - Nairobi Residents - Abranches, C. -  Loco Dept. Uganda Railway

Drumkey 1909 - C. Abranches - 3rd Engineer, Lake Steamer, Kisumu

North has Abraches

 

Name: ABRANCHES, J. C.

Nationality: probably Goan

First Date: 1909

Area: Nairobi

Name: BARRETO, A. J.

First Date: 1899

Profession: Uganda Railway appt. dated 17-7-1899; Clerk on temporary agreement in Chief Accountant's Office, May 1902

Book Reference: North, Red 22, Leader14

General Information:

Red 22 has A.G. Barretto, Keringet, Molo

Leader14 - A.G. Barretto - Kakindu

 

Name: BARRETO, J. F. C.

First Date: 1922

Profession: c/o International Bakery

Area: Nairobi

Name: BARRETO, John C.

First Date: 1899

Profession: Uganda Railway appt. dated 6-6-1899; Clerk Loco Dept. May 1902

Book Reference: North

 BACK TO SEARCH RESULTS

Name: BARROS, F. J.

First Date: 1922

Profession: Uganda Railway

Area: Nairobi

Name: BARROS, M. C.

First Date: 1922

Area: Box 21, Mombasa

Name: DA LIMA, Juanita Alvares

Birth Date: 1900

Death Date: 18 Mar 1926 Nairobi

Last Date: 1926

Area: Nairobi

Married: S.C.R. De Lima

Book Reference: Barnes

General Information:

Barnes Forest Rd cem, Nairobi in loving memory of / Juanita Alvares Da lima / beloved wife of S C R Da Lima / died 18th March 1926 aged 26 years

 

Name: DE MELLO, R. A.

First Date: 1909

Profession: Boustead Bros.

Area: Mombasa

Name: DE MELLO, V. C.

First Date: 1908

Area: Naivasha, Kericho

Name: DE SOUZA SANTIAGO, Luiza Maria Cyriaca

Birth Date: 1887

Death Date: 2 Dec 1914 Nairobi

Last Date: 1914

Area: Nairobi

Name: DE SOUZA, Amancio Francis

Birth Date: 8 Apr 1892 Goa

Death Date: 1 Apr 1917 Nairobi

Last Date: 1917

Area: Nairobi

Name: DE SOUZA, F. A.

First Date: 1895

Profession: EAP - Clerk in EAP Accounts Dept. Mombasa 26/6/1895; Member of proposed EA Volunteer Force 9/10/1896, Mombasa

Area: Mombasa

Name: FERNANDES, A. J. da Costa

First Date: 1909

Area: Mombasa

Name: FERNANDES, Simon

Birth Date: 1893

Death Date: 8 June 1933 Nairobi

Nationality: Goan

First Date: 1909

Area: Naivasha

Book Reference: Hut, Drumkey

General Information:

Barnes Forest Road cemetery, Nairobi, Simon Fernandes, Goan d. 8 June 1933 aged 40

Name: FERNANDES, D. M.

Birth Date: 1886

Death Date: 27 Feb 1940 Nairobi

Nationality: Goan

First Date: 1922

Profession: General merchant

Area: Eldoret

Book Reference: KAD, Red 22

General Information:

Red 22 - D.M. Fernandes & Co., Box 18, Eldoret & Kitale - General Merchant

KAD 1922 - Committee, Eldoret Chamber of Commerce

Barnes Forest Road cemetery, Nairobi D. M. Fernandes, Goan, d. 27 Feb 1940, aged 56

Name: FERNANDES, Flora

Nee: dau. of Jose Cupertino Fernandes

Birth Date: May 1927

Death Date: 9 Jan 1928

Nationality: Goan

Last Date: 1928

Area: Nairobi

Book Reference: Barnes

General Information:

Barnes Forest Road cem, Nbi, Flora Fernandes, Goan, d. 9 Jan 1928 aged 7 months

 

Name: FERNANDES, Jose Cupertino

Birth Date: 21 Nov 1895

Death Date: 17 Nov 1931 Nairobi

Nationality: Goan

Last Date: 1931

Area: Nairobi

Children: Flora (d. 9. Jan 1928 Nairobi)

Book Reference: Barnes, Drumkey

General Information:

Drumkey 1909 Directory of Residents - J.C. Fernandez, Mombasa?

Barnes Nairobi Forest Rd cem in loving memory / of / Jose Cupertino Fernandes / born on 21.11.1895 / died on 17.11.1931

Forest Road cem. Nairobi Flora d. 9 Jan 1928, Goan, aged 7 months

 

Name: FERNANDES, Simon

Birth Date: 1893

Death Date: 8 June 1933 Nairobi

Nationality: Goan

First Date: 1909

Area: Naivasha

Book Reference: Hut, Drumkey

General Information:

Barnes Forest Road Cemetery, Nairobi, Simon Fernandes, Goan d. 8 June 1933 aged 40

Name: FERREIRA, A. John

Birth Date: 23 Nov 1886

Death Date: 9 Dec 1920

Nationality: Goan

Last Date: 1920

Area: Nairobi

Married: Gracie

Children: Patrick (Fr. Germaine); Jerry; John

 

Name: NUNES, Alleluia

Birth Date: 1888

Death Date: 1957 Nairobi

First Date: 1922

Last Date: 1957

Profession: P.M.O.'s Office

Area: Nairobi

Book Reference: KAD, Barnes, Red Book 1912

General Information:

Nairobi Forest Road Cemetery - Alleluia Nunes, Goan, age 69, died 2/9/57 Red Book 1912 - A.H. Nunes - Nairobi

Name: NUNES, D.

First Date: 1922

Profession: Uganda Railway

Area: Nairobi

Name: NUNES, Miguel Antonio

First Date: 1903

Profession: Uganda Railway

Area: Nairobi

Married: Maria Benedicta de Sousa

Children: Simon Francis Reginald b. Nairobi 10.10.1904

Book Reference: KAD, Red 25, EAHB 1904

General Information:

EAHB 1904 - Nairobi Residents - Nunes, M.A. - Loco Dept. Uganda Railway